The holidays are a critical time for businesses, both big and small. For small businesses, though, the holidays can be make-or-break. If you're a small business owner, you need to make sure your holiday marketing is on point if you want to see success this season. Here are tips from the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce to help you make the most of your holiday marketing efforts.

Decorate Your Storefront

One of the first things you should do to get your small business ready for the holidays is to decorate your storefront. This will help attract customers and get them in the holiday spirit. Make sure your decorations are festive and appropriate for your business. If you're not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources online that can help you come up with ideas.

Prep for the Holiday Rush

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for businesses, so it's important to be prepared for an influx of customers. If you don't have enough staff to cover the increased demand, consider hiring seasonal employees. You should also make sure your inventory is well-stocked and try to anticipate any potential problems that could arise during the holiday rush.

Create a Gift Guide

If you sell products, it's a good idea to create a gift guide. This will give customers ideas on what to buy for their loved ones (or themselves). Your gift guide can be as simple as a list of suggested items or it can be more elaborate with descriptions and photos. You can promote your gift guide on social media, in your store, or on your website.

Update Your Marketing for the Season

Make sure your marketing materials are updated for the holidays. This includes things like your website, business cards, flyers, and email signature. Add some festive touches like holiday-themed graphics or a message wishing customers happy holidays. If you have any holiday promotions or sales, make sure that information is prominently displayed in all of your marketing materials.

Create Promotional Offers Using PDFs

PDFs are a great way to create promotional offers that can be easily shared online or printed out and posted in your store. You can use PDFs to create coupons, discount codes, or special offers that will entice customers to shop at your small business this holiday season. There are plenty of free tools online that you can use to create PDFs; all you need is a computer and an internet connection. For example, this is how you split out PDF pages should you need to. Once you have your files ready, share them with your customers online and in store.

Decide How You're Going to Give Back to the Community

The holidays are a time when many people focus on giving back to their communities. As a small business owner, there are several ways you can give back during the holiday season (and year-round). Some ideas include donating products or services to charity auctions, partnering with local food banks or shelters, or hosting fundraisers at your business location. Whatever way you choose to give back, make sure it aligns with your company's values and mission statement.

Lure Last-Minute Shoppers

The majority of holiday shopping is done in the days leading up to December’s end, so it's important to have strategies in place to lure last-minute shoppers into your store (or website). One way to do this is by offering express shipping or gift-wrapping services so customers don't have to worry about getting their gifts under the tree on time. You could also offer discounts or promotional offers for shoppers who make purchases closer to the end of December. Whatever strategies you choose, make sure they're published prominently so last-minute shoppers know what they are and how they can take advantage of them.

The holidays are a crucial time for small businesses—but they don't have to be stressful! By being prepared and taking advantage of promotional opportunities, you can ensure that your small business has a successful holiday season. Use this guideline to help you get started; just remember that every business is different, so tailor each item on the list according to what makes sense for you. And most importantly, have fun! The holidays should be enjoyable for both you and your customers.